Apologies generally help the aggrieved party feel better and heal. Sometimes,
a direct apology is impossible, so contrition by proxy must suffice.

Such was the case with the public apology issued on Feb.
21 by Dubuque Archbishop Jerome Hanus to the victims of sexual abuse by
priests.

As the head of his diocese, Hanus apologized for the horrible wrongs
visited on the men and women when they were children—not because
he had committed those sins, but because other Catholic clergy had.

Hanus addressed the victims who shared in the settlement, announced at
the same time, between the archdiocese and 20 abuse victims.

He spoke to their families and to others who had been abused by archdiocesan
priests.

Hanus acknowledged that he spoke on behalf of "a Church which has
failed you."

The prelate chose his words carefully. Many factors were weighing on
his mind.

In the days before the announcement, Hanus heard the victims' stories,
either directly or through videotaped presentations.

"Their personal stories, told with great feeling, were in my heart
as I wrote the apology. I always try to listen with the ear of the heart,"
Hanus said.

"I felt great compassion for persons who had been hurt and betrayed.
I try to imagine what I would feel if it were my sister or brother who
had been abused. I allow some of my anger toward abusers to drive my passion
for identifying with the victims," he said.

Hanus said he prayed for divine direction as he chose his words.

"I pray for guidance in every moment of my ministry as bishop to
people in need," he said.

The archbishop's apologies, both in writing and in person, were "very
heartfelt," said Jim Cummins, one of the victims who settled with
the archdiocese.

"He was sincere and I think profoundly saddened by what happened,"
said Cummins, an award-winning journalist with NBC News who was abused
by a Dubuque Archdiocesan priest in the 1960s in Cedar Rapids, Iowa.

Several victims were less conciliatory.

"The archbishop can write a real good letter, but it's just a bunch
of words," said Steve Theisen, Iowa head of Survivors Network for
those Abused by Priests. "I'll accept an apology when I see action."

Mel Loes, of East Dubuque, Ill., is equally critical of the apology.
Loes was abused 60 years ago by the Rev. Joseph Patnode.

"Hanus has been apologizing for three or four years now, trying
to make it look good," he said.

One of the victim/plaintiffs in the recent settlement, identified as
"John Doe," said the apology made little difference to him.

"The archbishop was obligated to do it (as part of the settlement).
It doesn't make things any better or worse for us," said the 65-year-old
Dubuque man.